In a World of Reversed Chastity, I’m Surrounded by a Clingy Older Woman, a Walking Red Flag, and an Exhausted Office Lady - 16

Chapter 16: The Cursed Bracelet and Onee-san

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“Shizuku? Where exactly are we heading?”

“It’s a secret♪ More importantly, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you for a loooong time. May I ask?”

As expected of someone from the Saiin family, the former lords who had governed this land for so long and who still held considerable influence even now. Though she had a gentle demeanor, there was something dignified about her voice, so much so that it created the illusion that I had no choice but to nod. And so, I did.

“Sure. You wouldn’t let me go until I nodded anyway, would you, Shizuku?”

“Yes♪ I’m delighted to see you know me so well. As expected of my beloved Aoi-sama.”

Inside the car, Shizuku rested her head on my shoulder and purred affectionately like a cat, so I stroked her head. Her jet-black hair, smooth as silk, gleamed beautifully. My fingers sliding effortlessly through it.

“Your hair’s as beautiful as ever. You really take good care of it, huh?”

“Of course. I don’t believe simply using the most expensive products is enough, but I do use reasonably good brushes and hair oils. Above all, I keep it this beautiful every day so that you may stroke it. Please, enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

Her eyes sparkled as she offered her hair to me, but—

“…That said, I won’t be fooled. Changing the subject won’t work, Aoi-sama.”

Under her probing, half-lidded glare, I averted my eyes. I had almost managed to steer the conversation elsewhere. Almost.

“You know what I want to ask, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you stop contacting me? Did you start to dislike me?”

She put on a genuinely sorrowful expression, letting out soft sobs, but there wasn’t a single tear in her eyes. Instead, she fixed me with a dark, lingering stare. Those eyes clearly said:

『—You understand what happens if you lie, don’t you?』

“Don’t make that face. There’s only one reason I stopped inviting you out.”

“…And why is that?”

She asked, sounding slightly sulky.

“Because you always prioritize me in everything.”

“O-Of course I do!! Prioritizing you, Aoi-sama, is my mission and it’s only natural for me to do that since we’re friends!”

Perhaps she didn’t like my answer, because her beautiful face suddenly moved very close to mine. Her eyes were brimming with dissatisfaction, but I couldn’t back down here.

“You have your university life, Shizuku. I have mine. I didn’t want you to prioritize me so much that your university friends would start getting the wrong impression of you. So lately, I’ve tried not to invite you out.”

After I honestly told her everything I had been thinking, she still looked dissatisfied but for the moment, it seemed she lowered her spear and returned to her usual gaze.

“…I’m not convinced, but I understand. So you were worried about me, Aoi-sama.”

“Well… yeah.”

“But it’s fine. I am, after all, the eldest daughter of the Saiin family. Even at university, I have a number of friends, at least on the surface, so there’s no need for concern. Besides, isn’t it lonely? That we would grow distant after graduating from high school?”

“That’s true, but once you graduate from university, you’ll inherit your family’s company. You said you wouldn’t have time to play around, and that you needed to start making formal visits and greetings even while still in university.”

Shizuku’s family owned several companies, and her mother was a member of parliament, so they were extremely wealthy. I felt it wasn’t right for me to take up her time, and that was another reason I had kept my distance.

“That may be so, but it’s all right. Certainly those things are important, but my time with you is important as well.”

She looked straight into my eyes, appealing to me earnestly. It didn’t seem like she had any intention of backing down. No matter what reason I gave, she would never reduce her time with me.

“Okay. I lost. I’ll say something properly next time.”

“Yes, thank you♪ I knew you would say that, Aoi-sama.”

Shizuku smiled sweetly and took my hand.

“…You weren’t planning to back down until I nodded anyway.”

“Ufufufu. Whatever could you mean? I simply wish to be with you.”

She rested her head on my shoulder again, cuddling like a cat. As I stroked her head and we continued driving slowly, we eventually arrived at our destination.

“We’ve arrived, Aoi-sama.”

“Where is this?”

“Exactly what it looks like, my home.”

After stepping out of the car, Shizuku smiled brightly.

“It’s all right. I’ll have you home before the last train. Until then, let’s talk as much as we can, shall we?”

“…Okaaay.”

Well, I guess it’s fine. It’s just until the last train. I’ll be home tonight.

That was what I decided….

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“Talking with you is incredibly fun, Aoi-sama.”

“Yeah… it is.”

It had grown completely dark outside, and since the last train was approaching, I was back in the car being driven to the station.

“Are you really sure I can accept this? I can’t repay you.”

She had given me an accessory that looked obviously expensive. I said over and over that I didn’t need it and couldn’t return the favor, but in the end she handed it to me anyway. It was a bracelet. As for why she suddenly gave me a bracelet…

“By the way, Aoi-sama.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Has anything happened recently at school, at work, or in your daily life? Particularly anything involving women. Please report it. Even progress with that Renka Koibuchi will suffice.”

Since it didn’t feel like something I needed to hide, I told her about my university life with Renka, and about Yua-san and Kaoruko-san. Then…

“…I see, I see. Aoi-sama.”

“Y-Yes?”

“You like presents, don’t you? You do, right? Of course you do. I shall now present you with a gift, thinking solely of your well-being. Please wear it every day.”

With that, Shizuku left the absurdly large living room and returned a few minutes later. What she brought was a bracelet bearing a certain well-known logo. She called it a token of her daily gratitude, but was this really okay?

“It is. It’s my feelings for you. So please wear it every day. If you don’t, I’ll get angry.”

She made a playful “hmph-hmph” sound effect as if joking, but her face was completely serious, so I decided I’d better wear it properly. As the car swayed gently, I stroked the head of the Saiin family’s eldest daughter, the future head of the Saiin household, who was rubbing her face against my shoulder as usual. That time would end once we reached the station.

“Well then, I’m off. I’ll be back here in about a month. See you, Shizuku.”

“Yes. You may return anytime—no, even right this very moment would be fine.”

“Yeah, yeah. See you.”

I waved goodbye to Shizuku, passed through the ticket gate, and the train arrived right on time. Since I’d be on the train for quite a while, I decided to relax and watch a movie on a streaming service. Before I knew it, I had arrived at my destination station.

With a slight feeling of dread at the thought of school starting again tomorrow, I headed toward my apartment. After checking only the mailbox for my own room, I walked toward it and saw someone sitting in front of my door.

It was Yua-san.

Come to think of it, didn’t we first meet in this fashion as well?

“Um…? Are you okay?”

Yua-san had been sitting in front of my door with her head down, but when she heard my voice, she suddenly jerked her face up and looked at me. There were tear marks on her cheeks, had she been crying? Wondering what happened, I rushed over and wiped her tears with my handkerchief. She looked as happy as a large dog reunited with its owner. Seeing that, I felt again that the languid, older-sister impression I used to have of her was probably mistaken.

“Shirasu… is that you?”

“Yes. I’m Aoi Shirasu.”

“Shirasu-kun, Shirasu-kun!!”

She threw herself toward me, so I caught her in an embrace and stroked her head. Her hair, though different from Shizuku’s, was just as beautiful, and her white inner highlights were as lovely as ever. For several minutes, I gently rubbed her back until she calmed down.

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